Norwalk Memorial Day Parade kicks off at 9 a.m.

Published 8:00 pm, Saturday, May 23, 2009

NORWALK

By CHASE WRIGHT

Hour Staff Writer

The Memorial Day parade will feature several firsts in 2009, including the first African-American to be honored as the Norwalk parade's Grand Marshal.

Sanford "Sandy" Anderson has not been immune to adversity. A U.S. Navy veteran who served during the Korean War period, Anderson was also the first African-American to be named fire chief of the Norwalk Fire Department, said David Cole, parade marshal and vice chairman of the Norwalk Veterans Memorial Committee.

"We're very proud that Sandy is our Grand Marshal," said Cole.

The parade marshals as early as 7:30 a.m. in Veteran's Memorial Park on Seaview Avenue and will begin promptly at 9 a.m.

The parade route is Fort Point Street, Van Zant Street then North on East Avenue from the East Norwalk Cemetery to the dispersal at the Town Green. The reviewing stand, where the Grand Marshal will be seated, will be in front of the Norwalk Inn and Conference Center at 99 East Avenue. Parade marchers are asked to salute the Grand Marshal as they pass him in the reviewing stand, said Cole.

More than 2,000 marchers are expected to walk, and another 15,000 local residents are expected to be in attendance, said Cole.

The Norwalk Exchange Club will distribute 9,000 miniature American flags and Rolling Cones will provide 9,000 red-white-and-blue popsicles, added Cole.

Leading the parade will be the Norwalk Police Department Honor Guard, followed by the Honor Guard of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, and again followed by the Grand Marshal.

Other veterans represented will be 10 members of the A-Company 1st Battalion of the 102nd Infantry Division. The company recently returned home from a year-long tour in Afghanistan and will be redeployed there in November, said Cole.

Other bands participating are the Norwalk Fire Department Pipe Band, the Norwalk High School Marching Bears, the Brien McMahon High School Marching Senators, and bands from West Rocks, Roton, Ponus Ridge and Nathan Hale Middle Schools, according to the Memorial Committee, which arranges the annual parade.

A host of civic organizations, scout troops, youthful athletic teams, and community groups will march. Prizes will be awarded for the best parade floats and presentations will be made at a reception at the American Legion immediately following the parade, according to the committee.

A flyover by the National Guard Airforce Unit is also slated for 9:15 a.m., said Cole.

The parade should make for a fun-filled day behind the committee's recurring theme, "Honor Our Veterans -- Support Our Troops," said Cole.

"Our parade is arguably the best in the area," he said. "I don't think anyone in Fairfield County has a parade like ours."